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Safe Food Handling Knowledge and Practices of Street Food Vendors at Louis Trichardt Makhado Local Municipality, South Africa
No full textMPHDepartment of Public HealthStreet-food vendors are an important component of the food supply chain; however, they have been implicated in the spreading of foodborne diseases. Street food often poses a risk to the health of consumers as they are prepared and sold in unhygienic conditions that bring about microbial and environmental contamination. This study aims to investigate safe-food handling knowledge and practices of street food vendors at Louis Trichardt, Makhado Local Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The researcher conducted the study using a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional descriptive survey design; a non-probability purposive sampling technique was utilized to sample 61 street-food vendors, and a self-administered questionnaire and a structured-observational checklist were used to collect data to determine the vendor’s food safety knowledge and practices. Pre-testing was conducted with 20 randomly selected street-food vendors to determine the validity of the measuring instruments and amended them, where necessary. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 19.0. The results showed that majority of the respondents 85.25% were females between the age range of 36-45 years with a high school education level with grade 10-12. About 68.85% of the street food vendors knew the correct way to wash hands, however, 52.46% were observed to not wash their hands before food preparation which may compromise the safety of street food. The majority of the vendors had moderate food safety knowledge (60.66%). This study concludes that street-food vendors practiced unsatisfactory hygiene and sanitary practices, during food preparation, Major infringements were- cross contamination from different food ingredients, lack of temperature control, lack of hand washing, inadequate infrastructure. This study recommends that food handlers are imparted with knowledge through targeted health education and promotion; such initiatives should be implemented periodically to ensure desired food-handling practices are implemented and sustained
Youth unemployment as a developmental problem in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa
No full textM. Admin.Department of Public and Development AdministrationThe study aimed to investigate youth unemployment as a developmental problem in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study focused on the impacts of youth unemployment on development in the Vhembe District with the intention that addressing these challenges can lead to poverty reduction and promote development in the region. South Africa has been facing the problem of unemployment for so many years. The problem has escalated in the country due to various factors, such as - the emergence of Covid 19, lack of skills, limited access to education and training, and lack of job opportunities. Youth unemployment has amplified poverty levels and social disintegration, which, in turn, has had a significant impact on the country’s economy as it has hindered the country’s development. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended possible solutions to address unemployment in both the Vhembe region, and the country as a whole.
The study used a mixed research method, thus, a descriptive design (quantitative approach) and an explorative design (qualitative approach), which helped to compare and collaborate the research results. The research makes use of a pragmatic research paradigm to investigate youth unemployment in Vhembe District and utilises non-probability and purposive sampling for appropriate sample collection. The study used two methods of data collection, namely, questionnaires and interviews. In terms of data analysis, the study adopted descriptive analysis to analyse questionnaires using International Business Machinery (IBM): Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 28.0 and presents information using pictures, graphs, tables, and numbers. For the qualitative aspect, a thematic analysis was applied to the data collected through interviews and presentation of the results is in the form of words.National Research Foundation (NRF
Gender equality under customary law: an analytical study on the developments of women's rights under customary law
No full textLLMDepartment of Public LawAfrican traditional customs have historically been criticized for perpetuating practices that undermine women's rights. Rights to equality, human dignity, and bodily and psychological integrity have been suppressed under many Indigenous customs. Historically, customary law systems were structured in ways that disadvantaged women, particularly in areas such as marriage, inheritance, and traditional authority. Patriarchal norms entrenched in customary law before the democratic era afforded men significant privileges over women, especially in leadership roles within society and the family. Consequently, many customary law norms remain at odds with human rights principles that promote gender equality. Although South Africa has made significant strides in reforming customary law to align with constitutional principles and ensure gender equality, women living in traditional communities still face systemic barriers to justice. Many of these challenges stem from limited access to legal recourse and continued reliance on traditional leaders to interpret and enforce customary norms. While constitutional rights theoretically apply to all citizens, women in rural areas often experience these rights as inaccessible or ineffective due to entrenched traditional practices. This study examines the progress made by South Africa's judiciary and government in addressing the historical injustices of customary law. It evaluates the effectiveness of constitutional protections and judicial interventions in safeguarding women’s rights under customary systems. Finally, this paper argues for the need to strengthen oversight of traditional communities and integrate government institutions into areas governed by customary law. These measures aim to enhance awareness and enforcement of women's rights, ensuring their full realisation in practice
Leadership practices by school management teams aimed at enhancing academic performance in underperforming schools of Mopani West District
No full textD. Ed. (Educational Management)Department of Educational ManagementUsing instructional leadership to improve student performance is a standard practice in many nations, including South Africa. Principals, Deputy Principals, Departmental Heads (DHs) and senior teachers form part of Senior Management Teams (SMTs) in schools, and they are held responsible for improving student performance, especially in secondary schools. Little, however, is known about how SMTs use their instructional leadership practices to influence learner performance in secondary schools in Mopani West Education District. Yearly, the Department of Basic Education sets the standard expected from schools to achieve, for them to be labelled “performing schools”. When a school performs below the expected standard, it is categorized as an underperforming school. This study aimed to explore and analyse instructional leadership practices by SMTs in pursuit of improving academic performance in selected underperforming schools. The study implemented a mixed-method approach. The population for this study comprised all school management team members - Principals, Deputy Principals, Departmental Heads and senior teachers - in nine (9) identified underperforming schools in Mopani West District. This sampled population was made up of 9 Principals, 9 Deputy Principals, 18 Departmental heads and 9 senior teachers – hence, 45 participants. This study used purposive sampling to select the participants who enabled the researcher to explore and analyse SMTs’ instructional leadership practices, in pursuit of improving learner performance. First, quantitative data was gathered through questionnaires; then the results of the quantitative data informed the design of the qualitative data collection instrument - semi–structured interviews. Findings from the interviews were augmented by document analysis, thus enabling triangulation of the process of gathering data, resulting in a comprehensive exploration and analysing of the instructional leadership practices used by school management teams to raise learner achievement in underperforming schools in the Mopani West District of the Limpopo Province in South Africa. The quantitative data was analysed using the SAS/STAT 13.1 software, while the qualitative data analysed using the Tesch Methods of data analysis. The findings of the study is that the school management teams in underperforming schools do not monitor curriculum management, academic goals are not clearly set, inadequate provision of support to teachers and learners, Inadequate integration of ICT and lack of professional development of teachers in the school
A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Modified Clay Soil for the Decolouration of Acidic and Basic Textile Dyes: A Case Study
No full textMaster of Earth Science in Hydrology and Water ResourcesDepartment of Earth SciencesDyes play a crucial role in the production of various products, including paper, plastics, and leather. However, their release into the environment leads to pollution and poses health risks to both humans and animals. Therefore, it is essential to treat dye-containing effluents before they are discharged into the environment. This study employed a cost-effective method to remove dyes from wastewater by utilizing natural clay as an adsorbent. The efficacy of Mn²⁺/Al³⁺ oxide-modified Mukondeni black clay soil (smectite) in removing acidic (Methyl Orange, MO) and basic (Crystal Violet, CV) textile dyes was evaluated. A 1:3 modified smectite ratio was identified as the most effective adsorbent. Characterization using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Point of Zero Charge (PZC) revealed that Modified-SMT contained 18.42% Al₂O₃ and 61.08% SiO₂, had a surface area of 35.30 m²/g, and featured functional groups such as C–O, C–O–C, and O–H, with a PZC at pH 4.30. Maximum dye removal efficiencies were recorded at 91.95% for MO after 90 min under the conditions (initial dye concentration = 20 mg/L, temperature = 30 °C, contact time = 90 minutes, shaking speed = 250 rpm, solution volume = 30 mL, and an adsorbent mass = 2 g). For CV, an efficiency of 96.35% was achieved after 30 minutes under conditions (initial dye concentration = 20 mg/L, temperature = 30 °C, contact time = 30 minutes, shaking speed = 250 rpm, solution volume = 30 mL, and an adsorbent mass = 0.1 g). Adsorption isotherm analysis indicated that MO followed a multilayer mechanism on heterogeneous surfaces (Freundlich model), while CV exhibited monolayer adsorption on homogeneous surfaces (Langmuir model). Kinetic studies confirmed pseudo-second-order behaviour. Thermodynamic parameters Δ = - 47.72 KJ/mol and Δ = -0.17 J/mol/K showed that MO adsorption was non-spontaneous and exothermic (ΔG = 12. 64 KJ/mol for 80 °C), whereas Δ = 22.64 KJ/mol and Δ = 0.09 J/mol/K for CV adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic (ΔG = -9.55 KJ/mol for 80 °C). The adsorbent retained its efficiency over four regeneration cycles, demonstrating its suitability as a sustainable and effective solution for dye removal in wastewater treatment. It can be concluded that Mn²⁺/Al³⁺ oxide-modified Mukondeni black clay soil (smectite) can remove both MO and CV dye from aqueous solution
Lack of Educational Resources as a Barriers to Educational Resources in the Implementation of Inclusive Education in Primary Schools of Molototsi Circuit, Mopani East District in Limpopo Province
No full textMED in Inclusive EducationDepartment of Inclusive EducationInclusive education aims to provide equal learning opportunities for all learners, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. However, many primary schools in rural areas face significant barriers to implementing inclusive education effectively. This study investigates the challenges related to educational resources in the implementation of inclusive education in selected primary schools within the Molototsi Circuit, Mopani East District, Limpopo Province. The research problem stems from inadequate resources, teacher preparedness, and infrastructural limitations hindering inclusive education efforts. The study's primary objective is to explore the barriers affecting the availability and utilisation of educational resources in inclusive classrooms and to propose strategies for improving inclusive education practices. The research is grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, which emphasises the interaction between various environmental factors that influence education. A qualitative research paradigm was adopted, employing a case study design to gain in-depth insights into participants’ experiences and challenges. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. The study population consisted of School-Based Support Team (SBST) coordinators, intermediate-phase teachers, and school principals from selected schools. A purposive sampling technique was used to select nine teachers, three SBST coordinators, and three principals, ensuring a focus on individuals directly involved in implementing inclusive education. Thematic analysis was applied to identify patterns and key themes in the data. The study is delimited to primary schools in the Molototsi Circuit, allowing for an in-depth examination of rural educational challenges. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Ethical considerations included informed consent, confidentiality, and voluntary participation. The findings indicate that a significant shortage of educational resources, including specialised teaching materials, adapted textbooks, and assistive technologies, poses a considerable challenge to inclusive education. Schools struggle to provide an inclusive learning environment due to a lack of essential materials that accommodate learners with diverse needs. The study revealed that many teachers lack the necessary training in inclusive education, which limits their ability to
support students with disabilities effectively. Other contributing factors include inadequate infrastructure, socio-economic constraints, and resistance from some community members toward inclusive education practices. The study recommends prioritising resource allocation to address these challenges, with increased funding for specialised learning materials and assistive technologies. Expanding teacher training programs is essential to equip educators with the skills needed for inclusive classrooms, emphasising continuous professional development. Community engagement initiatives should be strengthened through awareness campaigns to foster positive attitudes toward inclusive education. Furthermore, improvements in school infrastructure are necessary, with government support for accessible classrooms and facilities. Policy reforms should also be implemented to ensure clear, inclusive education guidelines and sufficient funding for their execution. Addressing these barriers holistically will contribute to a more inclusive education system that supports all learners, regardless of their abilities or socio-economic backgrounds. The findings and recommendations of this study aim to inform policymakers, educators, and stakeholders in improving inclusive education in rural primary schools
Learning Challenges Faced by Grade 12 Learners at a Selected Technical High School in Nzhelele East Circuit, Vhembe District
No full textMED In Education ManagementDepartment of Educational StudiesThis study explored and described the learning challenges faced by learners at MTHS (MTHS) in Nzhelele East Circuit, Vhembe West District. The study was influenced by poor performance of this school in Grade 12 results for the past three years. The study was positioned within an interpretivist paradigm using the qualitative research approach. Ten (10) Grade 12 learners, and five (5) educators from MTHS were selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected using semi-structured interview questions, since interview questions gather in-depth, nuanced qualitative data that offers a window into participants' inner worlds, revealing their perceptions, emotions, and actions. Data was analysed using the Thematic Analysis (TA) technique. In terms of the coping strategies that learners must adopt, the study focused on the availability of relevant educational resources, classroom environment and parental support to learners and educators. The study revealed that learning challenges such as poverty, lack of parental involvement, shortage of learning resources, school setting and DBE-based challenges affects learners negatively in their studies. The findings of the study may help various school stakeholders, the community, and the Department of Education (DoE) in the Vhembe District on how to address the learning challenges faced by Grade 12 learners. Parents and educators from the school may also benefit from the study’s findings. The study recommended that schools together with the department of education must ensure that all school policies and code of conduct must be adhered to, and all parents should play a role in their children's academic activities
Spatial planning strategies for improving household water service delivery in Schulzendal Village of Nkomazi Local Municipality, South Africa
No full textMaster of Urban and Regional PlanningDepartment of Urban and Regional PlanningHousehold water provision is a local government mandate worldwide. Water service provision is mostly linked to the health of communities. However, in most developing nations, water service delivery is hindered by organisation, governance, financial constraints, and capacity challenges, which are worsened by urbanisation. These are particularly pronounced in rural areas like Schulzendal Village of Nkomazi Local Municipality, South Africa, where household water service delivery remains a persistent problem. The study aim was to investigate spatial planning strategies for improving household water service delivery in Schulzendal Village of Nkomazi Local Municipality. The objectives of the study were to ascertain the condition of household water service delivery in Schulzendal Village of Nkomazi Local Municipality; to determine the challenges faced by Nkomazi Local Municipality in the delivery of household water services to Schulzendal Village and to propose spatial planning strategies for improving household water service delivery. The study was also informed by the Public Goods theory, Central Place Theory and the Principal Agent Theory. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed in this study. Purposive sampling was used to select key informants, including 2 traditional leaders and 5 municipal officials. A convenience sampling method was applied to distribute 253 household questionnaires. Additionally, snowball sampling helped identify respondents that were hard to reach, while participatory observation was conducted to complement the data and gain insights into the community’s household water access experiences. The study revealed that residents of Schulzendal Village are highly unhappy with the condition of water service delivery. Most of the respondents complained of poor infrastructure, poor quality of water and even water supply chain which has a drastic impact on their lives. Challenges of land tenure issues, dilapidated infrastructure, limited municipal funding, corruption, political interference among others were identified as the key challenges faced by Nkomazi Local municipality in the delivery of household water to Schulzendal Village. The study proposed active community engagement in planning and decision-making processes, the development of strategic infrastructure, and the integration of water management priorities into urban planning frameworks among other key approaches as spatial planning strategies for improving water service delivery to Schulzendal village.National Research Foundation (NRF) and University of Vend
An Investigation of Patient Satisfaction on Service Delivery at the Selected Clinics in the Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District
No full textMaster of Public HealthDepartment of Public HealthPatient satisfaction is a critical indicator of the quality of healthcare services and plays a significant role in shaping health outcomes and patient loyalty. This study investigates patient satisfaction with service delivery at selected clinics in the Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District, South Africa. The region, characterised by diverse healthcare needs and socio-economic challenges, provides a unique setting to evaluate healthcare delivery and identify areas for improvement. The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of patient satisfaction with service delivery at five selected clinics in Thulamela Local Municipality. The present study adopted a quantitative research approach, using structured questionnaires distributed to 441 patients across five clinics, with three hundred valid responses analysed using SPSS version 27. Findings revealed mixed levels of satisfaction, with factors such as clinic cleanliness and nurse competency receiving positive feedback, while long waiting times, limited availability of medication, and inadequate patient communication were highlighted as areas of concern. Gender and employment status influenced satisfaction levels, with women reporting higher satisfaction, likely due to greater healthcare engagement, whereas unemployed patients faced barriers in accessing quality care. This study underscores the need for targeted improvements in service efficiency, resource availability, and healthcare provider-patient interactions. Recommendations include employing quality assurance officers, conducting regular patient satisfaction surveys, and enhancing staff training in patient-centered care. Consequently, by addressing identified gaps, healthcare policymakers and administrators can improve patient experience, strengthen healthcare delivery, and promote equitable access to quality services
Evaluation of groundwater quality and geographical survey of the boreholes in Ga-Ramaswikana (Simson) Village, Limpopo Province: South Africa
No full textMaster of Earth Science in Hydrology and Water ResourcesDepartment of Earth ScienceGeochemical processes and the type of rock in which the aquifer is formed are, in most cases, responsible for natural groundwater deterioration. Therefore, groundwater deterioration is associated with various health risks to persons consuming the water, thus, it would vary from adults to children. Ga-Ramaswikana and surrounding communities depend on groundwater for household uses due to the lack of municipal water supply systems. This study focused on investigating the groundwater quality, geological formation, and geo-profile of boreholes in Ga-Ramaswikana village. The water samples and geophysical survey data were collected four times, once a season (autumn, winter, spring, and summer). The methods of water quality analysis and borehole profiling using PQWTS500 groundwater detector were adopted. The following water quality parameters were evaluated, physicochemical parameters such as Total Dissolve Solid (TDS), Turbidity, Salinity, Temperature, pH, and Electrical Conductivity (EC); The major anions and cations (HCO3- , SO42- , NO3- , Cl- , F- , K+ , Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+ ), and Trace metals such as (Aluminium (Al), Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), and Silicon (Si)). Fluoride concentrations were above the SANS limit (1.5) during the three seasons and is likely responsible for teeth discoloration. This makes the water unsuitable for drinking use. The average fluoride (F-) levels for all weather seasons were 1.73, 2.1, 2.6, 2.9, and 1.9 mg/l for the following boreholes respectively, Sepaela, Mashabela, Public borehole, Mahladisa, and Rampa. The public and Rampa boreholes had the highest turbidity which exceeded the limit of 5 NTU for World Health Organisation, and South African National Standards. The community borehole had turbidity of 101.6, and 32.4 NTU in spring and summer respectively. For Rampa household, the water had a turbidity of 22 NTU and 9.7 NTU in winter and summer respectively. For trace metals, higher concentrations of aluminium were recorded in the following boreholes (P2, P4, P8, P12, P14, P15, P16, P18). 100 % of water samples in the study were prone to Silicon which affected the taste of water. Arsenic was present in high concentration in the following boreholes P12, P13, P14, P15, and P18 of different seasons. The P12 to P18 boreholes had arsenic concentrations of 1.69, 4.48, 3.01, 4.5, and 6.17 mg/l, except for P16 which was for Mogalakwena river water sample. The major cations (Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, and K+) were plotted against major anions (HCO3- , SO42-, and Cl-) on a piper diagram to understand the water type dominant in the groundwater of Ga-Ramaswikana Village. The geochemistry of groundwater in Ga-Ramaswikana Village is dominated by calcium chloride (CaCl2) water type in most boreholes. CaCl2 is a type of hard water that gives a salty water taste of groundwater within Ramaswikana Village. The
groundwater chemistry of a public borehole is CaCl2 throughout all seasons. This tells that the public borehole is drilled on a calcium chloride rock formation. The decrease in annual rainfall trend has impacted the seasonal groundwater recharge.
Geophysical surveys were conducted to investigate the subsurface profile of boreholes and geological formations in Ramaswikana village. Therefore, the PQWTS500 groundwater detector machine revealed that some boreholes in the study were wrongly sited. This area is associated with the Gneiss formation and the groundwater in this area is salty. This may be due to geochemical processes such as weathering, rock-water interaction, dissolution of minerals, and ion exchange, which alter the water quality in the ground.
An integrated approach involving the geophysical survey and groundwater quality has been studied. Therefore, it has contributed to a better understanding of groundwater, geologic formation, its quality, and health risks of groundwater within Ga-Ramaswikana. The findings will be shared with relevant stakeholders in the water sector and community leaders for sustainable mitigation strategies and development.National Research Foundation (NRF